I Hope When It Happens

 

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I Hope When It Happens

I hope when it happens I have time to say
oh this is how it is happening.

I am not sure that I will though as I
have a feeling it will happen when it
is unexpected.

I hope when it happens I have time
to say I love you one more time.

I am not sure that I will though as I
don't know where I will be and if you
will be there.

I hope when it happens I will feel I have
made something pretty with my life.

I am not sure that I have but there is
nothing wrong with hoping even about
something like that.

I hope when it happens I have time to say
oh this is how it ends....... or begins.

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This is a poem I wrote in 2021 (with a few revisions), but never shared it here.  I quite like it.

For "What's Going On?" Open Link

Saltwater

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Saltwater

Saltwater rises on distant shores,
salty tears roll down my cheeks.
climate regulations fade like footprints in sand,
and polluting smokestacks reclaim the skies.

The data they cruelly choose to ignore
the warnings they maliciously brush aside
as ice shelves crumble into the deep
and habitats shrink and die.

Once-pristine rivers turn toxic and brown
places where otters and fish no longer play
ancient forests fall silent, one by one
as creatures lose their homes of yesterday.

Policies abolished with greedy hands
treaties reduced to unreclaimable ash
as saltwater floods the coastal towns
salty tears  proclaim my grief.

For Sherry's prompt "Saltwater and Whales" at What's Going On?

Tourist in My Dream

Basilique du Sacre Coeur

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Tourist in My Dream

Last night I dreamt of walking the narrow streets of Paris
a scarf around my neck and ribbon in my hair

visiting Montmarte to contemplate the artists
painting golden visions of the Basilique du Sacre Coeur
and when I had fully indulged my artistic passion

I relaxed with a sweet treat and cappuchino 
enjoying the sights and sounds of people walking by
while writing a letter to someone I wished I knew.

For Shay's Word Garden

Equinox

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Equinox

The equinox arrives as freedom's flame is perceptively waning,
and the sun casts shadows longer and darker than before.
Disheartened crowds gather beneath turbulent, stormy skies, as 
green shoots of resistance try to find cracks in the pavement.

Promises of a bright future are ripped from collective memory,
as a chilly silence replaces what was once spoken freely.
Even scampering robins now choose their tunes with caution,
their melodies now carrying notes of shared sadness.

As we humans walk together under a barely sunny sky,
the perfect balance of day and night mourns our despair
as liberty tilts toward darkness at this March equinox.
How will we stand firm against the frightening tide?

Written for Susan's prompt "Equinox" at What's Going On?

March Transitions

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March Transitions

The fox knows by instinct
what humans cannot know
the hidden arrival of spring
beneath cold, mute soil.

The sky shifts in seconds,
clouds act out dramas
with no ticket required,
nature's private art.

Funny how weeds emerge
before prized blooms,
ribbons of green awaken
from their naked sleep.

We humans crash through days
while animals pause,
alert to cricket songs
in the quiet of evening.

Written for Shay's Word Garden

 

Beauty

 

Beauty

How many years of beauty do I have left?
Not that I ever considered myself beautiful
but when I look back at photos of myself
over the years I do see beauty there but

I did not recognize my beauty at the time.
I always compared myself to others
and found myself to fall short in beauty.
Now I realize I was wrong.  I was beautiful.

I am beautiful.  We all are.  But often
it is easier to see others' beauty and to
negate one's own.  This is going to stop now.
How many years of beauty do I have left?

As many years of beauty as years to live.

Shared for Sumana's prompt "Beauty" at What's Going On?

One of Today's Heroes

One of Today's Heroes

Governor Janet Mills was asked
whether her state would comply with
executive orders banning transgender
women from participating in sports.

She answered that she was complying
with state and federal laws.
She was told she better do it or 
he would withhold  money from Maine.

Her state's autonomy threatened,
she answered with words sharp
as winter wind,"See you in court!"
Her voice carried no tremor of doubt.

***

In these days of darkness and fear

we look for anchors of courage

for those willing to take a stand

who refuse to bend a knee.

These moments mark our path forward

and hopefully a chorus will form

and with greater and greater momentum

people will resist the threatening storm.

Written for my prompt "Heroes" at What's Going On?

Here is the news story on which this poem was based:
https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/22/us/maine-trans-athletes-trump/index.html

Who, Just Who?

Who, Just Who?

Who has the audacity to speak up
with voice as loud as a cardinal's call
to erase the lies spread by the yappy one?

Who will claw back the curtain of ignorance,
expose the sissy-ass traitors to humanity,
then exile them to the deepest, darkest sea?

Who,  dear children, just who, will it be?

Written for Shay's Word Garden List